BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 413 By: Brown Economic Development 03-22-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Members of volunteer fire departments put their lives at risk without any sort of guaranteed compensation insurance. Without this insurance, volunteer fire fighters are not ensured sufficient care if injured in the course of duty. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 413 authorizes certain emergency service organizations to provide workers' compensation insurance to volunteer members who participate in normal functions of the organization. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 406B, Labor Code, by adding Section 406.097, as follows: Sec. 406.097. VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICE MEMBERS AND PERSONNEL. (a) Authorizes an emergency service organization which is not a political subdivision or which is separate from any political subdivision to elect to obtain workers' compensation insurance for its named volunteer members who participate in normal functions of the organization. Entitles a person covered under this subsection to full medical benefits and minimum compensation payments under the law. (b) Defines "emergency service organization," "volunteer members," "normal functions," and "political subdivision." SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.